Frequently in modern times, threats are not so much to our body, but our self confidence. So, we see a problem in ourselves, we attack it/ourselves.

Self criticism is a double whammy: we become both the attacker and the attacked.

Not surprisingly, self criticism is very damaging, increasing inflammation, depression,
poor sleep quality = impacting all areas of our life and well being.

So….next time you are harassing yourself,
or beating yourself up about something,try this:

Place your hand on your belly, heart or forehead,
feel the warmth of your own touch,
and the movement of your breathing,
and offer yourself compassion, acknowledging:

‘This is a moment of suffering/challenge/fill in the blank.
How human of me to feel this way.
May I be kind to myself in this moment.’

Or other words that resonate for you, language you might offer to a best friend:

“Yes. This really hurts.
And, it doesn’t change your worthiness of love or belonging.
I am here for you.”

Believe me, I used to completely suck at giving myself compassion,
but just like any good skill, it was something that grew roots
through practice and learning over time.

I can feel it’s anti-inflammatory medicine, physically, energetically,
mentally, emotionally, soulfully – it’s no joke!
Packed with nutrient magic.
I have even used it successfully to help me fall asleep. 🙂

Fall Retreat
If you feel called, you are wholeheartedly invited:

Compassionate Stillness: For You, for the World
A weekend Restorative and Yogic Sleep Retreat

I recently returned from a professional retreat in Cape Cod
studying Healing Sleep and Dreams
with my teacher, Dr. Rubin Naiman.

It was a nourishing schedule
including both private and public dream circles
with discussion/studies taking place in the mornings,
and afternoons/eve’s off for personal processing,
social connections, naps, daydreaming,
and explorations in nature,
especially the many wild beachscapes.

(Painting by Artist Jo Leal Clark)

Just a teeny sampling of some fun note-ables:

You can treat snoring and sleep apnea with didgeridoo practice, particularly because of how it trains and opens upper airways – 5 minutes a day is enough! It also has many other health benefits, like being a kind of stationary meditative workout, massaging vital organs, oxygenating the body, helping with asthma, and soothing the nervous system.

When people get enough REM (dream) sleep, pain threshold goes up 200% (50% for deep sleep, which is also pretty noteable!)

The part of us we call “I” cannot get us to sleep. So, when individuals say “I can’t sleep”, they are correct in more ways than one.

For me, grief and loss have been potent lately.
There are many different types of grief and loss that our culture doesn’t even recognize.

Something that has helped me is this simple breathing practice:Inhale love.Exhale love.

Those of you who know me know
I am not all about positivity, sunshine and butterflies.
So this isn’t about only seeing or feeling one side of things.

It’s just that inhale love, exhale love
has felt like the most practical, sane, nourishing thing to focus on.
One breath at a time, it remembers me home,
while also calling me into an ever deepening at-home-ness
I have yet to fully experience, am growing into.

If it feels like your bodymindheartsoul would benefit
from an afternoon devoted to inhale love, exhale love kind of energy soon –
time to simply have time,
to be centered in the sanctuary of your breathing,
supported in deep restorative positions that foster relaxation, reflection, renewal –
please know that you are wholeheartedly invited
to the following upcoming local Rest-shop events below.

“Gym culture has been a big part of our social media feeds for a while now and we thought it was time to encourage people to be serious about something more serious than working out,” Dom Fay, 22, from Collective Noun told news.com.au

The Brisbane-based group is made up of three comedians – Fay, Sam Borgert, 22, Zach Mander, 25 – and filmmaker Michael Parente, 20.

“We all rocked up one day to film and we were all in our pyjamas, because we’re pretty lazy, and the idea came from there,” Mr Fay said.

“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

I am hosting two rest-shops this Fall,
one is a short Sunday afternoon cocoon in late September,
and the other a deeper dive weekend rest-a-thon in late November.
Both are happening in person locally in Victoria, BC.

Sacred Sleep Meditation Recording

Enter your email address below to receive my 20 min sleep meditation MP3, designed to help you dive into deeper waters with bodymind relaxation and sleep - in whatever position you find yourself. Also occasional rest-notes with useful sleep wisdom sent to your inbox.